by Gini Koch
“If I may, Paul?”
Gower nodded. “Please.”
“Katherine has not been allowed to grieve. At all. Whereas Naomi has been allowed to grieve perhaps a little too long. I believe there is a tiny bit of jealousy at the core of Katherine’s reactions, though not about who’s marrying whom. Katherine isn’t allowed the luxury of wallowing in her loss.”
“I can see how that would make you jealous,” Abigail said. “Sis has gotten to plan a wedding, only, and we haven’t done our jobs, when we can do them without talents. Maybe not as well, maybe just as well. But we don’t know because we haven’t tried. I’d be mad at us, too.”
White came to me. “You’re allowed to cry. And perhaps you should. Now. Before we go meet up with your ‘uncle’ the assassin.”
“I don’t need to.” Felt far too angry to cry.
“I think you might,” White said.
Looked at Amy. “How pissed off and crazy do I look?”
“I wish Jeff and Chuck were both here and I’m glad Jamie isn’t.”
“Ah. Gotcha.” Looked back to White. “I’m too angry to cry.”
He patted my shoulder. “That will pass.”
There was a knock on the door I was holding. Decided to try to get back to normal, so I opened it.
Tito stepped out quickly. “I’d ask what’s going on, and if I need to hand out sedatives to everyone, but I think I caught enough when you flung Naomi at my patient.”
“Is Nathalie okay?”
Tito nodded. “I think what you wanted to have happen did.” He opened the door and gently shoved me into the room. Naomi was holding Nathalie and rocking her while Nathalie cried and clung to Naomi.
Naomi looked at me and there were tears in her eyes. “I get it.”
Someone came in and closed the door. It was Amy. She went over to Nathalie and took her from Naomi. “You two work it out,” she said softly. “And do it quietly.”
Naomi got up off the bed and stepped closer to me. “You really hurt my feelings.”
“I know. You really disappointed me and pissed me off.”
“I know. Did Chuck tell you he doesn’t want the big wedding?”
“He had one guy for his side, James, who isn’t his friend, in that sense, but is his fiancée’s brother-in-law. Jeff had to suggest himself as best man. Chuckie didn’t have to tell me, all I needed was to look at him and hear how friendless he feels. He’ll do anything for you, but you need to do the same for him.”
She nodded. “Do you really want me to leave and never come back?”
“No. Do you really want to keep wallowing in your loss?”
She looked over her shoulder. “No.” She turned back. “I get what you meant. She’d give up a limb, her sight, her looks, if she could get him back. I lost something precious, but we don’t even know if that’s a permanent loss. But I haven’t lost the most precious things. That’s why you’re mad at me, isn’t it?”
“Pretty much, yeah. Well, that and you acting like your wedding is more important than saving someone’s life or bringing a murderer to justice.”
She sighed. “I was originally thinking a small wedding.”
“I was originally thinking I’d get to enjoy my daughter’s first birthday party.”
“Yeah.”
We were both quiet. My anger was ebbing fast. Which meant embarrassment for blowing up at Naomi in front of a lot of people was vying for my attention. “I’m glad Chuckie’s marrying you, you know.”
“I know. I’ve really been a horrible Bridezilla. I’m not asking, I’m saying. And you haven’t even seen most of it.”
“Everyone will forgive you if you go back to being you.”
“Even you?”
“Especially me. You’re marrying one of the five most important men in the world to me. I don’t want to be angry with you or have you angry with me. I liked you before you and Chuckie got together. I want him to be happy. And you make him happy.”
“I’m not sure he’d pick me over you.”
“I am, but let’s not force him to choose.”
“Deal.”
Amy sighed. “Kitty, you need to let it out. There’s only us here, and Richard’s right.”
“Right about what?” Naomi asked.
“Right about the only thing Kitty’s jealous of you over. You’ve gotten to wallow, and she hasn’t even gotten to cry.”
“I have. I cried when Santiago died. And even when Eugene died.”
“But you just lost another friend,” Naomi said softly.
“Yeah.” I could feel tears wanting to come. I just didn’t want to let them.
“Tell me about him, Nathalie’s husband,” Naomi said. “Please.”
Could have said a lot of things about Brewer. But what came out of my mouth wasn’t what I was thinking. “He was going to be Jeff’s mentor, you know, the guy who helped him learn his job and was there to back him up. He was all excited about it, and it was like we were going to have friends, a couple, who we could do nice normal people things with, even though we’re not normal people. Jeff’s going to be all alone there now, with no one he likes or trusts to turn to. And I’m going to be all alone, too.”
Naomi shook her head. “No, you won’t. We’re family, all of us. We fight, and we get mad, and we say angry words, but when it’s over, we’re still family. That’s just how it is.” She smiled. “And there’s nothing you can do about that. You’re stuck with us and we’re stuck with you.”
The tears chose this moment to decide they’d held off damn well long enough. I started to cry. Naomi hugged me and I hugged her back. Which of course meant that I was now doing the really big, body-wracking sobs.
“Sorry,” I managed to get out, as I started slowing down.
“It’s okay. I’m not crying because I used all my wallowing over stupid stuff. And don’t worry. I promise, we’ll work on what you wanted us to. And if there are clues there, we’ll find them.”
“I hate fighting with people I like.”
She laughed. “Me too. So let’s go fight with people we don’t like.”
“I want to help,” Nathalie said. “It’s my husband they killed.”
Naomi and I pulled apart. “Are you sure?” Nathalie didn’t look like she could walk, let alone focus on clues. Then again, I probably looked like a crazy person, so I was in no position to judge.
“Yes. Please, let me help.”
“Absolutely,” Amy said. “Let’s get you and Kitty cleaned up, and then we’ll get you a nice glass of warm milk and you can help us look for clues.”
There was a sink in every infirmary room, thankfully. I did the cold water splash and then blew my nose for a while. Amy and Naomi helped Nathalie do the same. Reasonably presentable, we left the room.
Everyone was out there, waiting, looking worried or expectant, or both. “Everyone okay?” Gower asked.
“Yes,” Naomi said. “Kitty and I are both sorry we had a fight in front of you, I was being a jerk, she’s sorry she hurt my feelings by telling me the truth, and Nathalie wants to help us look for clues.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Tito said.
“Not a problem,” Naomi said cheerfully. “You and Magdalena can come down with us to watch Nathalie and help dig through the trash.”
Tito looked at me. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. I told you this job was going to be all you could ask for and more.”
CHAPTER 89
MY FIGHT WITH NAOMI had taken up a nice chunk of time. We went downstairs, choked some food down, then the others got back to the business of searching for stuff. Oliver and the boys had brought Adriana over from the Romanian Embassy, possibly to help prevent me and Naomi from killing each other, but she was helping dig through our “clues” with good cheer.
Sent another text to Caroline, just out of pathetic optimism. Pathetic optimism was shown to be a sap as the automated response came back. Didn’t they even go to the bathroom during these things?
Thusly foiled from getting any in-the-know answers yet again, trotted upstairs to say good-bye to Dad and Jamie. It was still obvious I’d been crying, but Dad didn’t mention it and happily, neither did Jamie. She was ready for bed, so I sang her a song using the stuffed eagle, tucked her in, kissed her good night, then changed clothes.
It had been far too many days spent in heels and nice dresses. I was going to a late-night rendezvous and needed to be properly attired. Aerosmith thermal, jeans, and my Converse on, hair pulled back in a ponytail, Glock and clips in my purse along with all the rest of my usual paraphernalia, and I was just about ready to go.
“I need a shorter coat or jacket or whatever. The trench is great, but in case I need to run, I’d like to be able to do so while still staying warm,” I said to the hamper. Backed out of the closet and closed the door. Opened the door and walked back in. There was a nice, shearling-lined, suede jacket—lining was white, suede was black. Maybe it was the Elves who drove the A-Cs’ slavish devotion to white and black.
Chose not to ponder. Grabbed the jacket. “Thanks again, you guys rock.”
Gave Dad another hug and kiss and then went back downstairs. My team was ready, White and Raj in their suits and trench coats, Rahmi and Rhee in all black, slacks and sweaters, but no coats. True to expectations and my threats, they both had battle staffs. Where they’d hidden them on arrival, I had no idea, but I was happy to see them tonight.
“You all can take your coats off,” Gower said. “The Kevlar’s here.”
“Oh, right.” Had forgotten we were all going decked out. Followed Gower into the salon where our body armor was waiting. “Paul, I count six vests, not five.”
“You count correctly,” he said as he took a vest. “I’m going with you.”
“Um, James expressly told you to stay here.”
“He did. But as the Pontifex, not only am I part of Alpha Team, but it’s also my duty to watch over my people. You need me along, and I mean you, specifically, Kitty.”
“Just because I got into a verbal chick fight with your sister doesn’t mean you need to be at risk.”
Gower shrugged. “I feel it’s important I go, so I’m going.”
Was tempted to ask him what ACE thought, but didn’t think he deserved it. Gower wanted to kick butt, I was sure, but maybe he was right. I hadn’t lost it like that with someone I liked in a very long time.
“Fine. But I’m in charge on this one.”
Gower grinned. “Kitty, in all the time I’ve known you, when haven’t you been in charge?”
“Good point.”
We all went off, changed, and came back. It was hard to tell that anyone was wearing a bulletproof vest, which was the point. Quick discussion about how we were going to get there. Len and Kyle felt we should let them drive us over. Hacker International suggested we use a gate.
“We have more maneuverability if we run,” Raj said. “We all have hyperspeed, so it shouldn’t be an issue.”
“Let’s get going and get there, then. I don’t want to be late.”
“We have plenty of time,” White said.
“Yeah, but I just feel like we need to get going.”
“Maybe you’re still upset,” Gower said.
Considered this. “No, actually I feel a lot better. Naomi and I have made up, I had that cry you all wanted me to, I don’t feel angry or upset or even tired anymore. I just feel like we urgently need to get to the cemetery, early or not.”
“Then let’s go,” Rahmi said. “The leader sets the pace.” Rhee nodded.
“Right, you two are going to flank our Pontifex and keep him safe. And, girls, please remember that you’re not killing anyone unless they actively try to hurt one of us or I tell you to, okay? Or one of the men with us needs your help and all that. Got it?” They both nodded. “Good. Then let’s go visit the dead.”
Pierre opened the door for us, and we zipped out. White had my hand, but Raj led the way, with the princesses and Gower bringing up the rear. We stayed on the streets—no running over water for us. But it still didn’t take very long to get there.
Once in the cemetery, I navigated us back to where I’d been when I’d seen the Dingo last. This took longer than I’d expected it to, but we were still in place well before ten. Raj and Rahmi went off to search for Hidden Assassin Caves and the like, while the rest of us hung around, waiting. Getting here early suddenly seemed really stupid.
Before I could mention that I was sorry we were all freezing our butts off, my phone rang. Dug it out. “Kit-Kat, I have a ton of missed calls and texts from you. What’s going on?”
Wanted to ask questions, but figured being polite was probably a nicety we could afford. “Hey, Caro Syrup, how’re you feeling?”
“I’m better, Michael took good care of me. But Kit-Kat, we just heard about Ed Brewer. Are you all okay? Is that why you’ve been trying to reach me?”
“Yeah, well, part of why. We were there. It was . . . pretty horrible, honestly.”
“They’re saying he killed himself. He never struck me as the type.”
“He wasn’t the type. But we’ll let the police do their thing right now.”
“How’s his wife?”
“Nathalie’s a mess. She’s staying with us right now, though.”
“Ah. Is Michael helping take care of her?”
“Um, what? No. He’s doing something with and for my mom. Why?”
“Oh.” She sounded relieved. “I’ve tried to call him a couple times and he hasn’t picked up. I just . . .”
“You were just worried your man was hitting on the widow who happens to be a former international model?”
“Not at all!”
“Pull the other one.”
“Oh, okay, fine. Yes, I was worried.”
“Why? Has Michael been seeing other people?”
“No. Not at all. We see each other a lot, we’re exclusive. It’s just . . .”
“Caro, you’re normally not this non-communicative.”
“I really like him. I mean really. And I’m not sure I should. I mean, he’s not ready to stop being a playboy.”
“Um, Caro, all I can say is that you should stop worrying.” Didn’t want to give away what Michael had said, but I didn’t want her worrying about this, either. “What does the senator think?”
“He thinks Michael’s great. He wanted me to go out with him tonight instead of working. But since I can’t reach Michael, I might as well work.”
“What are you guys working on? It’s Christmas Eve.” Said the person hanging out in a cemetery with five other people, all wearing Kevlar. Yeah, I rocked the Christmas Eve spirit. “I mean, Kelly told me you were in meetings about Armstrong’s presidential bid, but two days straight seems kind of excessive.”
“Well, we have a lot going on. There are some bills the Senate’s going to be voting on when the new session officially starts. The senator’s got a lot of fighting and persuading still to do, and he and Senator Armstrong aren’t certain they’ll sway enough votes. And the outcome of the votes is going to affect Senator Armstrong’s run.”
Interesting new news. “What’s on the line?”
“Lots of things to do with the A-Cs. The anti-alien groups have really shoved some crap into things.”
“Why is Armstrong working on this with McMillan? I didn’t think they were close. At all.”
“Well, they’re the two most pro-A-C senators on the Hill. Didn’t you realize that’s why they were sitting with you and Jeff at the dinner party?”
“No, I didn’t. So why was Edmund Brewer seated with us?”
“For the same reason, just like Santiago Reyes. Representative Brewer was one of the most pro-alien reps out there. Santiago won on the pro-alien ticket.”
Things started to click into place. What a pity I hadn’t had this conversation with Caroline two days ago. Reminded myself that I’d tried to have said conversation. Mentioned to myself that I should have chosen to use Kelly’s Bat
phone privileges and would not make that mistake again in the future. Should we have one. “Caro, who are the other pro-alien reps? The influential ones?”
“There are a few, but unfortunately, some of them have passed away in this last year.” Almost asked her why she hadn’t told me this before, but remembered that Caroline and Michael had missed Vance’s big Reveal on the Rooftop, and Michael had only really gotten up to speed tonight. And Caroline had been paying attention to the senatorial side of this thing, where no one had yet to be killed.
“Name them. Please.”
“Bowers, Holmes, Callahan, Porter, and Delarosa.”
“So, does that mean we have no more pro-alien representatives in the House?”
“Well,” Caroline said with a little laugh. “Jeff’s in there now, so there’s one for sure.”
“I need to talk to Senator McMillan. Right now.”
“Uh, okay. Hang on.”
Covered the phone while Caroline spoke to McMillan. “Mister White, we need Raj and Rahmi back, pronto. The hell with the Dingo’s hideout.” White nodded and pulled out his phone.
“Hello, Ambassador? What can I do for you?”
“The bills you and Armstrong are worried about, there’s a line in all of them that’s basically saying that no alien can ever go against any U.S. law and such, correct?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Long story we have no time for. There are bills just like those going through the House.”
“Yes. I heard Caroline’s side of your conversation. She listed most of those in the House who were planning to use their influence to get those bills shot down or returned to committee.”
“Right, they’re all dead. Which of all of them was the most influential? Holmes?”
“Well, I’d say that Wendell was, yes. But Edmund Brewer was as well. He was a junior congressman, but he had a good ability to sway. And he was hugely pro-alien. You’ve lost a good friend in more ways than one today.”
“Yeah, I’m picking that up. He didn’t kill himself, by the way. So, Caroline didn’t sound like you all think the Senate’s going to shoot down those anti-alien bills.”